Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-11-09

New \ OrE sun
A most noteworthy fact was reported
/ in a very brief cablegram from Chill the
otter day. It informed us that Chill
had at last completely subdued the
/ Araucanian Indians, that 4 railroad is
building through their country, and that
the Government is pushing the develop
mclt OF this hitherto almost inaccessible
+ province OF ArGuco.
Il is not little remarkable that these
savagcs, whose northern frontier is only
a dey's Journey 10y rail from Santiago,
/ whose only weapon is a lance, and who
never brought more than 5000 men into
/ the field Mt one time, have for centuries
/ successfully opposed the Spanish arms.
/ 1t has been q source of no little chagrin
to the Chilians that an impossible bar
rier existed between their central aud
theft southern provinces, and that the
cities of Conception, with 10000, and
Naldivia, with 5000 inhabitants, only
$50 miles apat, were able 10 carry on
social and commercial relations with the
sea as their only highway.
The triumph of the white race OF which
we have just becniuformed has been won
only by inches. From North and South
the white invaders have fortified the
ground as they pushed forward and colo
nizcd il only behind their Notifications.
The popul5ce. huddling at first in towns,
have been ready at all times to spring to
arms and assi,tthe garrison5. tOr years
these settlements hive often been thrown
into the widest excitement by reports
that thc indians were advancing and were
committing the direst outrages.
One OF the strange features Of this long
and bitter struggle has been the fact that
a few Catholic missionaries who have
lived for years among those Indians have
been held by them in the highest esteem,
and have received the hindest treatment.
4 few travellers, too, unarmed and unat-
tended, have passed safely through their
country. and have been fed, lodged, and
honorcd by the very red men who
were ready to contest to the death
any advance Of the CHILEAN forces or
colonists. number Of white men, out
laws and adventures, have sought refuge
among the Araucanans. and their per-
litIDus luuutlft Is bCAcFNh ~ nav & plO-
longed the struggle. One OF them, a
French lawyer named De Tonneins,
few years ago acquired so much in
fuence by his supposed gifts as magi-
clan that be WAS able for some time to
assume to be the King of the Arauca-
mans, under the title OF Orelie Antoine
l. lis savage subjects at length dis
cerned his true character, and he was
compelled TO flee for his life.
When Mr.. Gallenga visited the north
ern edge OF Arauco few years ago he
expressed the opinion that the Arauca-
mans had become SO far enfeebled by
tho long and ftful contest that they
would soon succumb if the Chilians
made a strong and determined effort to
subdue or annihilate them That end
has been reached at last. The 10000 or
$4,000 natives have lost in the struggle
for independence they have waged so
well and SO long. It is certain that in
the long run the civilized viii always
overcome the savage races, but there are
few Of these memorable contests in which
the weaker bellieerents have so long
withstOod the inevitable as the stubborn
and dauntless Araucanians.